Head of English (London)

Location: Dagenham, East London

Start Date: January 2026 (or earlier by negotiation)

Salary: MPS/UPS + TLR 2C (£7,847) | Outer London weighting

Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent

A high-performing and ambitious secondary school in Dagenham is seeking an exceptional Head of English to lead a dynamic department from January 2026. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced English Teacher with a proven record of raising attainment, or an existing middle leader ready for a new challenge. The school has a strong academic reputation, excellent student behaviour, and a highly supportive senior leadership team. With recent investment in its facilities and a renewed focus on literacy and curriculum enrichment, this is a great time to join the school and play a key role in shaping its next phase of development.

• Lead and manage the English department across Key Stages 3 and 4 (KS5 optional).
• Drive high standards of teaching, learning and assessment.
• Line manage a team of dedicated teachers and support their professional growth.
• Contribute to whole-school literacy strategy and curriculum development.
• Monitor pupil progress, close attainment gaps, and support intervention planning.
• Be a qualified teacher with QTS and significant experience in teaching English at secondary level.
• Demonstrate excellent leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Be able to inspire both students and staff through innovative teaching and strategic thinking.
• Have a strong understanding of current pedagogical approaches in English and curriculum frameworks.
• Be ambitious for both pupils and their own professional development.

A forward-thinking and supportive SLT with a clear improvement strategy. Access to high-quality CPD, leadership coaching and career progression routes. Excellent facilities, including a well-stocked English library and digital learning tools. A culture that values inclusion, wellbeing and achievement equally. Outer London pay weighting and a competitive TLR for departmental leadership. This is a fantastic opportunity to lead a vital core subject and make a tangible impact across the school community. Apply with a copy of your CV and a member of the PWR team will reach out to discuss further details. All applicants will require the appropriate qualifications.